Vacuum cleaner for drawing air through and intermittently over surface being cleaned



Dec. 16,

Filed Sept. 14 1953 1958 w. P. CRISE VACUUM CLEANER FOR DRAWING AIR THROUGH AND INTERMITTENTLY OVER SURFACE BEING CLEANED 3 Sheets-Sheet l I50 I57 2 I23 &

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I39 I52 I53 I5I I32 l HI I I INVENTOR.

$4M MM;

ATTORNEY Dec. 16, 1958 w. P. CRISE 2,864,119

VACUUM CLEANER FOR DRAWING AIR THROUGH AND INTERMITTENTLY OVER SURFACE BEING CLEANED Filed Sept. 14, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 223 FIGS 260 l 0 //O 296. i 240 O 13 INVENTOR.

' Z fM M;

A TTORNE Y United States Patent -O VACUUM CLEANER FOR DRAWING. AIR THROUGH AND INTERMITTENTLY OVER SURFACE BEING CLEANED Wilford P. Crise, Indianapolis, Ind.

Application September 14, 1953, Serial No. 380,028

6 Claims. (Cl. 15404) The present invention is directed to an improved nozzle for a vacuum cleaner. This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Serial Number 747,708, filed May 13, 1947, now abandoned.

More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus for cleaning permeable material. In carrying out the invention, I utilize a vacuum cleaner having an open bottom nozzle against which the carpet is pressed, due to the difference in air pressure above and below the surface being cleaned, and while a portion of the carpet is pressed against the nozzle and while the cleaner is being moved in one direction, either forwardly or rearwardly, intermittently jetting air from outside the nozzle directly onto the surface of that portion of the carpet which underlies the nozzle opening.

In carrying out the present invention, I prefer to scan the entire surface of that portion of the carpet which is covered by the nozzle inlet opening with blasts or jets of air from outside the nozzle. In one aspect of the invention, I cyclically and sequentially subject the upper surface of different sections of that portion of the carpet, which underlies the nozzle inlet, to jets of air from outside the nozzle.

In carrying out the foregoing, I provide valve mechanism which is responsive when the vacuum cleaner is in operation, for controlling the jetting of the air. This valve mechanism is so constructed and arranged that it is'motivated by the difference in pressure between atmosphere'and the lower pressure in the nozzle.

Usually the inlet of the nozzle is elongated and I dispose air channels along the length of the nozzle. These channels lead to atmosphere and are closed and opened intermittently. In one form of the invention, the valve mechanism is arranged to open and close sequentially or consecutively in repeating cycles.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

In the drawings: I

Fig. l is a view partly in section and partly in elevation showing an aspect of the invention, the section being taken substantially along line 11 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation, the sectional part being taken along line 2 2 ofFig. 1; V

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front viewin section turned 90 from Figs. 1 and 2, the section being taken along line 3-- 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the forward part'of the nozzle showing the elongated inlet of the nozzle, and showing the channels for conducting air from atmosphere to the nozzle;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. l; r

915 Fig. 5;

Fig '7 is aside view partly in elevation'and partly in Fig. 8 is a top plan view partly in section, the section being taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 7, part of the rotating valve being omitted to more clearly show certain air' channels;

Fig. 9 is a view of one of the end plates of the valve mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 1010 of Fig. 9; and

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view of the tubular portion of the turbine-valve employed in Figs. 7 and 8, the tubular portion being split longitudinally and flattened to show the relationship of the discharge openings therein.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the nozzle comprises a main casting 121 and a front casting 122. The rear of the main casting forms a hollow neck portion 123 which is milled as at 124, which complements a surface on outlet coupling 126. The outlet coupling is pivoted by a pin 127 which is supported on a rearwardly extending bracket 128 of the main casting 121. A suitable hose (not shown) is attached to the rear end of coupling 126, which in turn is connected to a source of reduced pressure. A shoe 130 is formed integrally with the main casting 121 and is disposed below the neck portion 123. This shoe rides upon the material being cleaned.

The forward part of the main casting spreads sidewardly and is milled in a vertical plane through the length thereof, and a flat elongated metal strip 131 is suitably secured to the forward part of the casting. The main casting 121 is hollow; it comprises an upper wall 132 and a lower wall 133. The hollow portion is indicated as chamber 135. This chamber extends through the entire width of the forward part of the cleaner and narrows rearwardly where it merges with the neck portion 123. The top wall 132 extends farther forwardly than the bottom wall 133, whereby the forward portion of bottom wall 133 together with the downwardly extending plate 131 form an elongated inlet opening 136 for the chamber on the bottom of the nozzle.

As suction is created, air will be drawn through the inlet 136, into chamber 135, and then outwardly through the neck portion 123 and coupling 126. The top surface of wall 132 of casting 121 is recessed as at 138 to form a circular chamber 139. This chamber is disposed substantially midway of the width of the casting 121. The top surface of wall 132 is also provided with a plurality of channels 140. The outer ends 141 of these channels lead to atmosphere, as is more clearly shown in Fig. 6. The outer ends 141 form inlets for air to the channels. Each of these inlets is covered by a screen 142 which is held in position by screws 143. The inner ends 145 of the channels extend into the circular chamber 139. The inlet'ends are so arranged as to cause air to enter the chamber 139 tangentially of the periphery rim portion of the chamber 139, whereby the air within the chamber 139 swirls, and, as shown in Fig. 5, such swirling is in a clockwise direction. A flat plate 147 is carried on the upper surface of top wall 132 and covers the channels 140, whereby the channels each function as a passageway. The plate 147 is provided with a circular opening 148, the diameter thereof being somewhat less than the diameter of chamber 139.

A combination turbine-valve member 150 is rotatably mounted above the top wall 132, the axis thereof coinciding with the axis of chamber 139 and the circular opening 148 in plate 147. The central portion 151 of member 150 is cup-shaped and carries the outer race 152 of a ball bearing 153; the inner race 154 of the bearing 153 is secured to 'an internally threaded sleeve 155, which in turn is secured to a top casting 157 by a screw 158.

Patented Dec. 16, 1958 As is more clearly shown in Fig. 2, the cup 151 is provided with two radial outwardly extending webs 160 and 161, and these webs merge, with arcuately shaped webs 162 and 163, respectively; the axes of the webs 162 and 163- coinciding withthe-axis of the chamber 139. As seen in Fig. 2, the W6b'152 which extends in a clockwise direction from radial web 160, stops short of the radial web 161, whereby the free ends of web 162 and web 161 form a vertical-extending port 165; likewise Web 163 steps short of radial web 160 to form a vertical-extending port 166. It will be observed from Fig. 1 that the bottom of the cup 151 and the lower ends of the Webs 16d and 161 extend to adjacent the bottom of chamber 139 and are slightly spaced from the bottom of the chamber;

As will be later described, a partial vacuum is created inthe housing 157. Air entering tangentially into the chamber 139 through the passageways 149 will impinge upon the webs 160 and 161 and cause rotation of the turbine-valve member 150, such rotation being in a clock: wise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2.

The casting 157 is suitably secured to the casting 121, the horizontal plate 147 being interposed therebetween. The underside of casting 157 is provided with a circular recess 167, the diameter thereof being the same as the opening 143 in plate 147. The upper part of the rotating member 151 extends into this recess. A plurality of webs 168 to 173 inclusive, extend rearwardly from the fore part of casting 157 to the periphery of the recess 167 and opening 148 in plate 147. These webs, together with the top wall 175 of casting 157 and the rear wall 176 of casting 157, form a plurality of passages 177 to 182 inclusively. The webs 168 to 173 and the top wall 175 and rear wall 176 cooperate to form a valve chamber 183. It will be observed from Fig. 2 that the passages 177 to 182 extend radially from the circular valve chamber 183 and fan forwardly. Also it will be observed from Fig. 2 that there are two sets of passageways 177 to 182.

The front casting 122 is suitably secured to the fore parts of main casting 121 and casting 157. Casting 122 is provided with a plurality of vertically-extending webs 184 to 189 inclusive. These webs extend rearwardly from the front wall 191) of casting 122, and the rear ends thereof abut respectively the forward ends of Webs 168 to 173, and the rearwardly-extending side walls 191 of casting 122 abut the forward end of the wall 176 of casting 121 to provide extending passages 177a to 182a inclusively, which register with passages 177 to 182 respectively.

It will be observed from Fig. 1 that the vertical Wall 190 of casting 120 extends rearwardly as at 192, whereby each of the passageways 177a to 182a, together with the vertical plate 131, form elongated ports 177b to 182b inclusive, at its lower end (see Fig. 3). It will also be observed from Fig. 1 that the lower end of plate 131 throughout its length is slightly spaced (approximately inch) from the plane of the bottom of casing 121 and casting 122. The space is indicated at 195.

The sub-atmospheric pressure in the main suction duct or chamber 135 remains substantially constant since it is continuously being affected by the suction-creating means. At intervals, however, air jets are successively created along the inlet 136 of the nozzle and, in the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 to 6 inclusive, these air jets are linearly along the slot or inlet 136. That is, at least two of the passages leading to atmosphere are in open communication with the forward end of slot 136 through the space 195 below the plate. As shown in Fig. 2, ports 165 and 166 of the valve register with upper or right passage 182 and lower or left passage 177. Thus air flows from the exterior of the nozzle through passages 140, chamber 139, upper passages 182 and 182a and lower passages 177 and 177a, with jet action against the carpet and over the same. As the valve rotates, the passage 177 directly below (as viewed in Fig.2) the web 168 is gradually closed bythe web 163, while simultaneously the passage 177' above the web 168 is gradually being opened to the port 166 of the valve 150. Simultaneously the port is closing the upper passage 182 and opening the lower passage 182. As the valve 150 rotates clockwise, the passages above center will be connected to atmosphere, successively in the order of 177 to 182, and below center simultaneously, successively in the order of 182 to 177.

Considering a specific impulse such as will occur in one of the passages, for example 177a, when the valve connects such passage with atmosphere, the following will occur at a position along the slot 136 adjacent to the bottom of the passage 177a:

(1) A fiow of relatively high velocity air will be directed across the upper surface of that portion of the carpet which underlies the passage 177a, the space and the adjacent portion of the carpet which underlies the slot 136. The highest air velocity will occur at the portion of space 195 which registers with passage 1771: since cross sectional area of the jet of air is the least at this point. Due to the Bernoulli effect the suction on the material being cleaned will also be increased at this portion of space 195 by the flow of air thru it.

(2) A more profound cleaning effect will occur at the point of impulse creation since a substantial portion of the suction-creating means will be utilized in performing useful work at the point of impulse creation. That is, energy will be utilizedas follows: (a) For movingair upwardly through the carpet as was the case before the creation of the impulse; and (b) For moving air across. the surface of the carpet. The additional energy utlllzed' in accomplishing (b) above, performs additional work at the upper point of impulse creation. The additional work is useful for cleaning for the following reasons: (I) The carpet, is actually beat by a sharp blow impulse of air,

which ejects stubbornly embedded particles of dirt; and- (II) The flow of air upwardly through the fabric is actually increased.

By providing a multitude of passages 177-177a to 182 182a (in duplicate) sharp blows of air are imparted to the carpet substantially throughout the length of the slot 136. It will be understood that the separate passages are cyclically connected with atmosphere; the, sequence of admission of atmospheric air to the various passages is immaterial, but in this embodiment the scanning follows linear sections across the carpet. The R. P. M. of the valve and therefore the frequency of the cycles in the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is thousands per minute.

Since valve member 150 transfers air flow from one pair of passages to another pair, it gradually allows the flow of air to build up in the second-in-order pairrof passages, while reducing the pressure in the first-in-order pair, and thus a substantially uniform volume of air flow takes place from outside the nozzle through the jet passages and through and over the material being cleaned to the nozzle inlet slot 136. By this construction, since the valve rotates thousands of revolutions per minute and" 11 inclusive, the-sweeper 220 includes the main casting,

221 and a nose casting 222, the latter forming the front of the sweeper. The neck portion 223 at the rear of the casting is connected with the swingable coupling 226, it being pivoted on pin 227 which is carried by a bracket 228 formed integrally with the casting 211. Like in Fig, 1, the main casting includes a shoe 230, whichis This produces a more rapid rate of air flow at;

arranged to ride upon the carpet. The top wall 232 of the main casting and the outer wall 233 form the suction chamber 235. .The front end of the bottom wall 233 is spaced rearwardly of the front end of top wall 232 to form the inlet opening of slot 236.

The main casting 221 includes'an upwardly and forwardly bulged portion 257. .This portion overlies the nose casting 222. The nose 222 is suitably secured by screws (not shown) to the casting 221. Bulged portion 257 extends completely across the width of the sweeper and is provided with a longitudinally extending bore 238. End plates 239 are suitably secured in the ends of the bore 238 and provide bearing retainers and air inlets. The central portion 240 of each bearing plate carries an outer race 252 of a ball bearing 253. The inner race 254 of the ball bearing is secured to the axles 255. The outer rim 296 of the end plate 239 is connected with the central portion 240 by a series of radially extending spokes 258. As is seen more clearly in Fig. 16, these spokes 258 provide openings 259 therebetween (eighteen in number), and these spokes are slanted away from the axis of the tubular bore 238. Atmospheric air entering the bore 238 will be given a swirling motion due to the slant of these openings 259.

A combination turbine-valve memb-er'250 is carried by the axles 255. Member 250 includes a sleeve 262 of slightly less diameter than the bore 238. There are two turbines 251, one at each end of the sleeve, and each includes a plurality of radially extending blades 260. Turbines 251 are carried within the sleeve 262. Air entering the bore 238 through the openings 259 with a swirling motion, will impinge upon these blades 260 and cause the rotation of the turbine valve 250.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 11, which shows the sleeve 262 in flattened form: This sleeve is provided with a series of elongated perforations 265. These perforations are offset from one another and, when the sleeve is formed as a cylinder, they form a plurality of series of openings; each series of openings 265 may be said to form openings arranged in spiral fashion.

As best seen in Figs. 7 and 8, and particularly Fig. 8,

the lower forward end of the main casting is providedwith a series of linearly arranged passages 277 which extend to the interior of the bore 238. These passages are also oblong in shape and generally coincident with the configurations of the perforations 265 in the sleeve 262. The nose casting 222 is also provided with a series of linearly arranged passages 277a which register, respectively, with the passages 277 of main casting 221. The lower end of these passages 277a slope downwardly rearwardly toward the slot 236, as is shown at 292. The top wall, forming part of suction chamber 235 at its front end, extends downwardly forwardly of the front end of the bottom wall 233, but stops short of the bottom wall 233 to provide a space 295. This space 295 is coextensive with the slot 236.

There are twenty of these passages. 277277a, and forty perforations or ports 265 in sleeve 262. Thus on each revolution of the sleeve 262, each passage will be connected twice with the interior of the sleeve 262. Ports 265 are so spaced that three or four always fully or partially register with passages 277 simultaneously, so that when the suction chamber 235 is subjected to a reduced source of pressure, the flow of air is induced through the air passages 259 in end plate 239, into the interior of the sleeve 262, through ports 265, passages 277277a, and into suction chamber 235. This will effect rotation of the sleeve 262. Under normal conditions, sleeve 262 rotates thousands of revolutions per minute. This will effect successive registration of ports 265 with ports 277 whereby air from the exterior of the nozzle and at a higher pressure will be jetted onto the carpet underlying nozzle slot 236, and the cleaning action will be the same as that described with respect to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 through 6.

Whilethe forms of mechanism herein described constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms may be adopted falling within the scope of the claims that follow:

I claim:

1. A nozzle for a vacuum cleaner comprising a casing having an elongated inlet end provided with a normally substantially horizontal elongated slot arranged to engage the surface of the material being cleaned; having an elongated inlet chamber formed within said casing and connected throughout its length with the horizontal slot; hav ing a plurality of separate ports leading to said inlet chamber, positioned inwardly thereof, and spaced longitudinaL' ly along the length of said chamber; having an outlet 9 opening positioned at an end of said casing removed from said inlet end which outlet opening is arranged to be connected to a suction-creating means; having a cylindrical valve chamber connected continuously with the atmosphere; having a plurality of air passages each leading separately from one of said ports to said valve chamber;

having a suction passage leading from said inlet end tosaid outlet end and continuously connecting said inlet end to said outlet end; and having a longitudinal partitionseparating said inlet end from said suction passage except for a narrow elongated normally substantially horizontal slit positioned adjacent to the surface to be cleaned; in combination with means comprising a valve body positioned in said valve chamber for connecting the atmosphere in said chamber sequentially and separately with said air passages whereby puffs of atmospheric air flow at high speed at separated points through said slit over the surface being cleaned, said valve body being continuously rotatable by substantially the full flow of the atmospheric air which the valve controls. 2. A nozzle for a vacuum cleaner comprising a casing having an elongated inlet and provided with a normally substantially horizontal elongated slot arranged to engage the surface of the material being cleaned; having an elongated inlet chamber formed within said casing and connected throughout its length with the horizontal slot; having a plurality of separate ports leading to said inlet chamber, positioned inwardly thereof, and spaced longitudinally along the length of said chamber; having an outlet opening positioned at an end of said casing removed from said inlet end which outlet opening is arranged to be connected to a suction creating means; having a cylindrical valve chamber connected continuously with the atmosphere; having a plurality of air passages each leading separately from one of said ports to said valve chamber; and having a suction passage leading from said inlet end to said outlet end and continuously connecting said inlet end to said outlet end; in combinationwith means comprising a valve body positioned in said valve chamber for connecting the atmosphere in said chamber sequentially and separately with said air passages whereby puffs of atmospheric air flow at high speed at separated points over the surface being cleaned, said valve body being continuously rotatable by substantially the full fiow of the let opening positioned at an end of said casing removed from said inlet end which outlet opening is arranged to be connected to a suction creating means; having a cylindrical valve chamber connected continuously with the atmosphere; having a plurality of air passages each leading separately from one of said ports to said valve chamber; having a suction passage leading from said inlet end to said-outlet end and continuouslyconnecting'said inlet end to-said outlet end; and'-having a longitudinal partition separating said'inletendfr'om said-suction passage except for a narrow elongated normally substantially horizontal slit positioned adjacent to the surface to be cleaned; in combination-with means comprising a valve body positioned in said valve chamber for connecting the atmosphere in said chamber sequentially and separately with said air passages whereby pufls of atmospheric air flow at highspeed at separated points through said slit over the surface being cleaned.

4. A nozzle for a vacuum cleaner comprising in combination a casing having an outlet end adapted to be connected to a suction creating means, having a suction passage connected to said outlet end, having an elongated inlet end formed with an elongated inlet chamber and positioned at the opposite end of said nozzle from the outlet end but formed to be in continuous communication through said suction passage with the outlet end, and having a normally substantially horizontal elongated slot connected throughout its length with said inlet chamber and arranged to engage the surface to be cleaned; the inlet end wall of said nozzle being provided with a plurality of separated fixed passages connected to said inlet chamber and adapted to conduct air from the atmosphere to said inlet chamber at a plurality of longitudinally spaced points all positioned adjacent to the surface of the material covered by the nozzle; and a rotary valve positioned between the atmosphere and the aforesaid fixed passages connecting certain of said passages sequentially with the atmosphere and permitting a sequential flow of air to said passages, said valve being operated by the air which flows through it as the air is distributed to the passages whereby the volume of air flowing through the valve remains substantially constant as the valve allows a flow of air from the atmosphere to the aforesaid fixed passages to take place sequentially while puffs of atmospheric air flow at high speed at separated points over the surface being cleaned.

5. A nozzle for a vacuum cleaner comprising, in combination, a casing having an elongated inlet opening formed at one end of the casing and provided with a normally substantially horizontal elongated slot arranged to engage the surface of the material being cleaned; having an elongated end wall adjacent to said inlet opening; having a suction passage connected to said inlet opening; having an outlet opening spaced from said inlet opening, said outlet opening being adapted to be connected to a suction creating means and being continuously in uninterrupted communication through said suction passage with the inlet end; having a circular chamber formed therein, spaced from and separated from said inlet and outlet openings and connected to the atmosphere; and having a plurality of separated fixed passages formed in said elongated end wall of said inlet end, these passages being all severally and separately connected to said circular chamber for at times receiving air therefrom and having separate fixed discharge openings spaced along the length of said elongated inlet opening arranged to direct air flowing therethrough separately against 'thesurface of the material covered by the nozzle; inicotnbination with means comprising a rotary valve positioned in'said circular chamber and rotatable by substantially the full flow of the air which the'valve controls, for causing a repeated consecutive blocking "and opening of the several connections between said circular chamber and said fixed passages to direct individual puffs of air at high speed across said inlet opening and over the surface being cleaned.

6. A vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising'a casing having an outlet end arranged to be connected to a suction creating means; having an inlet end spaced from said outlet end and provided with a normally substantially horizontal elongated slot which is adapted to engage the surface of the material being cleaned; having a suction passage connecting said outlet end and said inlet end; having an elongated end wall adjacent to said inlet opening having a plurality of fixed passages adapted to conduct air from the atmosphere to the surface of the material covered by the nozzle, formed in said elongated wall of said inlet end; said passages havingtseparate fixed discharge openings spaced along the length of'said elongated inlet opening and arranged to direct air flowing therethrough across said slot and substantially parallel to the surface of the material covered by the nozzle; and having a valve chamber formed therein connected to the atmosphere and spaced from said outlet end and from said inlet end, but connected at times by means of said fixed passages with said inlet opening; in combination with valve means, eflec tive when the nozzle is placed on a material to be cleaned,

for repeatedly and consecutively connecting certain of said passages through said valve chamberto the atmosphere which means is operated by substantially the full flow of air which said valve means controls whereby puffs of atmospheric air flow at high speed'over the surface being cleaned.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 797,241 Thurman Aug. 15, 1905 1,034,260 Lichtenberg July 30, 1912 1,394,789 Prell Oct. 25, 1921 1,742,810 Hosking Jan. 7, 1930 1,900,886 Smellie Mar. 7, 1933 1,936,367 Riebel Nov. 21, 1933 2,031,957 Karlstrom Feb. 25, 1936 2,077,958 Smellie Apr. 20, 1937 2,109,621 Kirby Mar. 1, 1938 2,157,077 Kroenlein May 2, 1939 2,159,164 Karlstrom May 23, 1939 2,178,003 Smellie Oct. 31, 1939 2,183,150 Patterson Dec. 13, 1939 2,289,324 Dettle' July 7, 1942 2,326,311 Taylor Aug. 10, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 455,210 Great Britain Oct. 13, 1936 494,500 Germany Mar. 24, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,864,119 Deoember 16, 1958 Wilford P. Crise" s in the-printed specification It is hereby certified that error appear tion and that the said Letters of the above numbered patent requiring correc Patent should read as corrected below.

6, for "casing 121" read casting 12 column 4,

1" read casting 221 column 6, line 36 for nlet end provided Column 3, line 5 line '74, for "casting 21 "inlet and provided read i Signed and sealed this 9th day of June 1959 (SEAL) Attest:

KARL H, AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Commissioner of Patents Attesting ()flicer 

